Venue: Longwood Gardens

Each year the Stroud Water Research Center hosts its annual fundraising gala in celebration of our most precious resource: water. This special evening allowed us to bring together friends and neighbors whose support is critical to Stroud's endeavors. Proceeds from the evening support the Stroud Water Research Center's freshwater research and education programs.

Just a quick flight from the mainland of Australia, there's a tiny island that boasts extraordinary terrestrial and marine ecosystems and exotic plants and animals you can only see if you go there - or if you joined us at The Water's Edge this evening. This year's speaker was Ian Hutton: island naturalist and conservationist, researcher, ecotourism pioneer, brilliant photographer and the keeper of the UNESCO World Heritage site, the pristine Lord Howe Island.

I enjoyed Ian Hutton's presentation as it seemed Lord Howe Island was very similar to New Zealand. Many biota and animals he talked about could be found in NZ or were cousins. It's very beautiful. Go there if you get the opportunity.